Guide to Guideline 1.1
Level 1
Success Criterion
2

For functionalnon-text content, text alternatives serve the same purpose as the non-text content. If text alternatives can not serve the same purpose as the functional non-text content, text alternatives identify the purpose of the functional non-text content [I]

Key terms and important concepts

Performs or is able to perform one or more actions in response to user input.

non-text content

Content that is not represented by a Unicode character or sequence of Unicode characters.

functional non-text content - content that is capable of performing one or more actions in response to user input and is not text.

NOTE: This includes___.

Editorial Note: We need to decide which term to use here to refer to programs that run in the context of user agents.(ex. applet, embedded programmatic object, functional component)

non-text content used to convey information - content that communicates ideas, data, facts [@@include info from definition of information] and is not text.

non-text content that is intended to create a specific sensory experience - arrangements of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that cause a reaction in the viewer or listener.

text alternative

Programmatically determined text that is used in place of non-text content or text that is used in addition to non-text content and referred to from the programmatically determined text.

baseline

Set of technologies assumed to be supported by, and enabled in, user agents in order for Web content to conform to these guidelines.

NOTE: Some examples of entities that may set baselines that an author may have to follow include the author, a company, a customer and government entities.

Editorial Note: In the techniques document we plan to discuss techniques for
conforming to WCAG 2.0 based on three different baselines (i.e. assumptions of technologies supported and active in user agents).

Intent of this success criterion

NOTE: Placeholder for description of intent

Technology-Independent techniques for Guideline 1.1 L1 SC2

Text alternatives for non-text content that provides functionality

Task:

If the non-text content provides functionality, then the text alternative must provide the same functionality. Ask, "What is the function of the non-text content?" and express that function clearly and concisely.

Editorial Note: The use of "clearly" and "concisely" makes this untestable. Will that be an issue for readers?

Benefits: How Guideline 1.1 L1 SC2 helps people with disabilities

Examples of Guideline 1.1 L1 SC2

A graphical navigation link. A navigation bar includes a small image showing a house. The image is a link to the site's home page. The text alternative says "Home."

A graphical icon. A Web page provides a text transcript of a press conference. The page also includes a graphical icon linked to an audio recording of the press conference. The text alternative reads, "Audio recording of press conference."

A graphical button. A search form includes a button featuring the image of a magnifying glass. The text alternative for the graphic says "Search."